Why Hello?

Maybe I should sheepishly poke my head into this blog and say hello. I haven't written anything in over a week. So I apologize to all of you if you've been checking in and I haven't written anything- sorry to disappoint.

Blogging might be a little light next week as well. One of my girlfriends is coming into town and we will be busy causing a bunch of ruckus around Los Angeles.


Here's a few pictures to update from my last posts.


Valentine's Day Present Feather Clip



All dressed up for my Cake Thursday's party for February. I was trying to get a picture of the clip but didn't work that well.



A picture of my Raspberry Vanilla Bean Buttercream Cake. That later on I was told looks like a giant boob/nipple. Whoopsies.


Lastly, this is a picture of my Valentine's day and Anniversary presents. Jack gave me the sweater for V-day and the beautiful peacock necklace for our anniversary. He actually made the necklace for me after reading my blog post about how much I love peacock feathers found here.


Happy Weekend my loveys! Anything exciting planned?

Cheers-

Raech

Bower Birds

Through my daily blog porn readings I stumbled upon this band "Bower Birds" and they are fantastic. I'm always looking for some more music and these folks have definitely hit a chord with me. Now my only dilemma is do I buy a record of them or buy the iTunes. Right now, the iTunes has won out because I have $35.00 in iTunes gift cards and $0 in fun spending money. Besides at $7.99 for a 13 song albumn vs. going to hollywood and pawing through shelves of records trying to find them or gasp ordering them online and paying shipping iTunes is just wayyyyy easier; today.


Besides how cute are they? She plays an accordion. Adorable.

Cheers-

Raech

P.S. I found them through Skunkboy Creatures Blog who is also a friend of A Beautiful Mess. I absolutely love these girls and their style!

Anthropologie Lovin

I hope everyone had a lovey V-day weekend. I love three day weekends. We were thinking we were going to lay low for Valentines day but we ended up going to The Rose Bowl Flea Market. Which is a giant flea market in Pasadena, CA. It was 80 something and in the direct sunlight so we stayed for about 2 hours but got lots of looksies in. I'm looking for a little vintage chandelier for my closet ( Until i get that figured out I need to wait to post pictures of my closet redux). They were anywhere from $80-200 and lots of them were in just so-so condition or needed rewiring. I just felt uncomfortable plunking down that cash for something that will be hidden in my closet 90% of the time. So for now we wait.

After the flea market we headed to grab some lunch at Yardhouse and back to LA to spend some snuggly time on the sofa watching movies while eating crab legs, herb brie cheese and a good bottle of chardonnay.

Before dinner we exchanged presents - Jack has really wanted the new Wii Mario game so that is what he got. I know exciting. I personally hate the game I think its REALLY hard but its not my gift. For my gift I got this lovely mustard yellow sweater from Anthro.
I literally almost died because 2 days before I had been making returns and looked at this sweater but decided that it was a bit expensive and I should wait until my birthday to start buying clothes. So I was giddy and super excited that this was my V-day gift and that he knows me so well. Today I've been daydreaming about what I can pair this sweater with.

Like this lovey grey/creme/yellow dress. Not quite sure if the yellows would match but I love it.


I love the whimsical print on this little dress.



This one is a nighty/house dress but I think unless it see through that its absolutely gorgeous and could be worn outside of the house.



Speaking of anthro I can't stop thinking about this sweatshirt. I love their lounge wear. Its all really comfy. I really want this owl sweatshirt. Maybe soon.


Also, while searching for dresses I came across this lime dress. Ach. Its so beautiful. I think I need this one too!



Cheers-

R

P.S. For V-day I made little shortbread button cookies from 46th at Grace's blog and passed them out to friends. My blog friend turned real life friend Jo did a post about them! Check it out here!

Daydreaming

about this car.


I'm thinking once I pay off my CR-V and I can afford to just maintain it that I might look into a fun car. I really am loving these Karmann Ghia. Preferably a convertible like this one.

Really digging the matte silver finish as well. At the price point of $12-14k at the high end that doesn't seem to bad for a fun car. A lot less than a new Porsche or some other fancy car. I enjoy the aspect of living in Southern California and able to drive a convertible year round and not have to worry about really any body issues ( though sometimes salt from the ocean can be an issue). I really am in love and need to start saving my pennies for this.

Cheers-
Raech

Lady Gaga + Viva Glam

Ok. I know I'm about 200 years late to the party but Lady Gaga and M.A.C. makeup are teaming together and the Viva Glam for this year is a special color for Lady Gaga and a special color for Cyndi Lauper. Love it. Seriously. I think the Lady Gaga would be better on me. I always feel super self conscious about wearing red with my uber fair complexion and slightly brown/redish hair tone. Anyways, check them out!

Such gorgeous advertising.



I die for this color.



Cheers-

R

Let's talk about tea..

I always forget how much I love tea. We picked up this new flavor at whole foods a few weeks ago - Earl Gray Creme. Delish.

What the tea mixture look like



The packaging is nice too! Which you all know I'm a bit of a label whore as displayed in these various posts



Do you have any tea's you'd recommend. I also really love the gypsy teas!

I am head over heels for...

feathers. Especially peacock feathers. So imagine my pure delight when I popped over to Design is mine's blog and her post was all about feathers. I'm digging this necklace so much. I might need to put this on my birthday list.



It's from modcloth and is only $20.00. To continue this peacock feather craze take a look at these beauties found we heart it.

Seriously, loving this white/pink peacock feather necklace.

I'd love for this to be my little entry vignette.


I don't have any tattoo's but if i did; it'd probably be a peacock/or some other type of feather.


Also, another feather tattoo that is gorgeous. I don't think I could actually commit to a tattoo but these are gorgeous.



On that feather; I'm out.

Cheers-

Raechel

Fresh Salmon Mango Tacos with Black Bean Soup

Black Bean Soup
makes 6 side dishes

2 cans of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves
2 tsps chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup of fresh cilantro
14 oz veggie broth
1 c water
Shredded Cheese for sprinkling
Evoo for sauteeing
S&P

1.) Heat Evoo in 3qt sauce pan, add onion and garlic and cook until tender, about 5 mins. Next stir in chili powder, cumin and red pepper with a splash of broth and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in beans and the rest of the liquids. Heat mixture to boiling over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until beans are tender.

2. ) Pour mixture into a blender or a food processor and blend until smoooth. If the soup has lost some of its heat you can put back into saucepan and cook until warm again.

3.) Sprinkle with cilantro, s&p if you desire and a bit of shredded cheese and serve.

Salmon Mango Tacos
serves 2

1 small salmon filled ( mine was about 4 to 6 oz), cubed
1 mango, cut in 1/2. ( 1/2 diced and 1/2 cut into thin slices)
1 small onion
1/4 red bell pepper
Cumin to taste
1 green onion, chopped
Evoo
S&P
Smokey Tabasco Sauce
2 Tortillas
Shredded Cheese for Sprinkling
1/8 c Salsa Verde
1/2 c. cherry tomatos, quartered
Cilantro - generous handful chopped ( 1/4-1/2c)


First - Prepare Mango Salsa
1.) Combine the following - 1/2 of the mango ( diced), 1/8th cup onion (chopped), cherry tomatoes ( quartered), green onion ( chopped) , cilantro ( chopped) and the salsa Verde.

Second - Prepare Salmon and Veggies/Fruit
1.) In a sautee pan, heat evoo and add the cubed salmon, mango slices, red bell pepper ( sliced lengthwise) , and the onion ( in long slivers) and sprinkle with a bit of cumin and sautee until the salmon is heated and the vegetables are slightly soft but still a bit crisp.

2.) Heat the tortillas. Then, sprinkle with a bit of cheese and fresh chopped cilantro and fill with salmon and veggies and top with mango salsa. I also like to add a bit of Smokey Tabasco on the top and enjoy.




This was something I just threw together with the ingredients I had at home and it ended up being amazingly delish!

Cheers-

Raech

I've got the travel bug.....

and it isn't going away at all. All I can think about is how I can figure out how to travel some where foreign. By figuring out I do mean - afford. This silly no job thing is putting a damper on my traveling. I'm hoping if I ever am laid off again that I have plenty of money to travel for five or six months. Wouldn't that be ahhhmazing.

Just some beautiful images from we heart it's website of places I'd love to be.

This lovely picture is how I feel today. I'm ready to go sit on my suitcase until someone finally decides to take me somewhere!


How gorgeous is Maldives?


Loving this cozy looking cabin in Utah. Would love to spend a weekend snuggling here!


I hope when I travel I can look as classy as this lady does! Love it.


How amazing are these mountains in Norway?


And, finally I'll leave you with this dreamy sketch of a neatly packed suitcase. Someday I'll have one of these.




Cheers-

Raech